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Winter is a wonderful time, but with all the snowfall comes a host of responsibilities in terms of home maintenance. Snowfall is exciting for the young and old until the temperature drops and the fun takes a turn. Having said that, the winter chores and tasks around the home can be tackled with a little organization and planning.

Seal those gaps:

Winter care for your home is as important as with any other season, and brings its own challenges and unique checklist. Every home has a few inconsistencies when constructed, and these little gaps and openings let in the cold winter air, leaving your rooms chilly and forcing you to waste energy trying to raise the indoor temperatures. You can find these draft points by simply using a lit candle and pointing them to areas like windows and walls and the gaps. You can seal these spots using a caulking gun or weather stripping products, thus insulating your home from the cold weather outside

Check the Insulation:

Insulation is very essential for freezing winters. The first step wouyld be to check if your insulation system is prepared to protect you from the cold? Check and add extra insulation in the attic in order to prevent ice dams. Finally, do check your propane tank as the cold weather can change the chemical properties of the gas, making it extremely dangerous. Keeping an explosion-proof light installed near the tank.

Fixing the Step Repairs, Handrails, Handicap Ramps are just some ideas to make your home easier for you or your loved ones.

Winterization for the home exteriors:

Now that we’ve taken care of the inside of the house, let’s take a look at the outside. With a layer of snowfall, there is a danger of slippery surfaces on your deck, stairs, driveway and sidewalk. With heavy movement in these areas during the holiday season, it’s important to clear the snow regularly.

Calling in snow plowing & snow blowing services on a regular basis will ensure that there’s no unnecessary build-up of snow and thereby preventing accidents.

Also do remember to check your roofs regularly as the intensity of snowfall increases. Getting your roof shoveled along with your driveway and clearing away the snow will ensure that your roof stays strong, preventing leaks and cracks.

Finally, do tend to the trees in your property, get them trimmed and regularly remove dead branches so they do not damage your home or injure someone.

We hope that you find these tips useful and that they make this winter a very beautiful and safe one for your family.

Winter is wonderful magical season, with all the fresh snow and holiday cheer in the air. With all the joy, comes the hard work of making sure that you and your home is ready for it all. As the seasons change, so does your check-list of small and not-so small chores that can dampen your holiday spirit.

Here’s a few tips and tricks that will help you get your home ready for the winter & holiday season in Anchorage.

A winter checklist is essential!

Every holiday brings with it the joy of decorations & lighting, so make sure you’ve got a checklist on hand well in advance. Check your lights & lighting fixtures, and get them tended to as early as you can. In case, you are not sure where to begin, get professional help in checking for all lighting fixtures and replace the faulty ones on time.

Be organized!

Whether it’s to do with holiday lighting or winter preparation for the home. Use zip-ties to keep your lights from getting tangled, and place the bundles in separate boxes to ensure they’re easy to access when you need them. Keeping tools, hoses & ropes organized and stored together means time saved when you’re in the middle of winter preparation and installing decorations. Also remember to follow this tip while storing the Holiday lights after the holiday season.

Safety is the key!

Winter means slippery ground and one has to be wary of taking that step to avoid mishaps. Having a good quality shovel & snow blower to clear snow from your driveway, sidewalk, roof and deck will give you a safe environment in the icy, cold months. When you are installing lights, be extra careful about ladder safety. Sanding on the drive way can also help avoid slippery surfaces. Also remember in the interest of safety of others, avoid pushing the snow into the street, across the street, into an alley or the middle of a cul-de-sac.

Don’t postpone small repairs!

Since we’re talking safety, small things, if left unattended can prove to be dangerous when you have lot of people movement around the house especially during the holidays. Prioritize these repairs and install sturdy handrails at your staircases around the property to provide support for when the snow on the stairs freezes into ice.

If you don’t have the time to carry out these chores, we are happy to lend a helping hand. With a range of winter services ranging from Snow Removal, Holiday Lighting, Handyman and Trash Hauls, we can make it happen and offer you the opportunity to enjoy this season stress free with your dear ones.

It’s time to start thinking about outdoor Holiday Lighting. And it is the perfect time to start planning and implementing your holiday lighting design ideas for your home in Anchorage. If you want your Holiday Lighting to really stand out and even better than the previous years’ design, now is the time to act.

Here’s quick guide to help you decide on how to go about creating that magical effect for your home this year:

What type of lights do I need?

There are lots of outdoor lighting options – stringing lights along the roof line, doors and windows. Twinkling lights in shrubs close to the house are appealing and circling around tree bases and up into the branches are also popular. A plethora of light options can already be found at the Super Stores around town. There are LED white lights that look almost look blue in color, and come in several sizes. Some people string color lights before the holidays and then switch to white or crystal lights in January. Be sure to plan ahead to get everything you need before you start stringing.

Tip: Don’t forget extension cords and timers! Plug in all light strands before hanging so you don’t get unpleasantly surprised once everything is all up! Check all wires for frays and don’t use them!

Safety is a real concern

Be sure your ladder is well placed and secure before climbing. With snow and ice on the ground, things can slip really fast. And always have a ‘spotter’ – someone on the ground holding the ladder in place.

Get creative

Don’t limit yourself to just lights – there are all kinds of holiday decorations that should be well-seated and create that wonderful effect

Tip: Once the holiday season is over, carefully take down and store your lights and decorations for next year. Remember ladder safety!

1. Examine different spots for debris:
Clear leaves, dirt, and pine needles from gutters and examine downspouts for damage or loose pieces. Also make sure to check the flashing around your chimney and any openings in the roof, such as skylights for leaking problems.

2. Check walkways carefully:It’s best to check walkways now for cracks and loose paver material which may cause tripping or accidents.

3. Store the outdoor furniture:Make sure to power wash all your outdoor furniture and cushions. Once dry, store cushions in dry area to prevent cracking, and fading over the fall and winter months. One spring comes along next year; you will have them ready for use!

4. Fertilize:In order to deter spring weeds and winter lawn damage, don’t forget to fertilize. Fertilizing also helps to prevent bugs from snuggling down in soil thru the winter and resurfacing in spring. We can help!

5. Collect leaves:
If saving your fallen leaves, rake them onto a plastic tarp to make them easier to transport. If you want your leaves gone – we can rake, bag, and haul away.

6. Moose Protection:
To keep the moose from chomping your trees, you might consider some moose protection. There are a few products on the market that afford some success. We can also place a protective netting over the tops of trees to thwart snacking!

7. Clean the gutters:
Before fall rains and winter snowstorms, clear away any leaf or debris build-up within your gutters so that flow isn’t inhibited. Otherwise, water will flow off the roof in big sheets, potentially harming your siding and landscaping.

8. Plant bulbs:Although you can plant new bulbs come spring, the fall is a good time to get some smaller bulbs into the ground – and then you’ll have something already in the ground when the weather starts warming up, and you can enjoy watching them grow.

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About Tony’s Enterprises

Tony’s Enterprises is a full-service general contracting business serving the Anchorage, Alaska area for over 30 years. We are expert general contractors who provide a personal touch to ensure your complete satisfaction.